14 New-Home Design Trends for 2014
by Big Builder Magazine Online
Nick Lehnert, executive director at Irvine, Calif.–based KTGY, and Mollie Carmichael, principal at John Burns Real Estate Consulting in Irvine, assembled, for BIG BUILDER, 14 ethnographically informed design trends.
All 14 of these trends fall within three primary assertions in today’s new-home market: scale trumps size; livability trumps salability; technology can solve for both scale and livability.
We're excited here at Triangle Brick Company because brick can be used to accomplish many of the top trends. Here's how:
- Research shows that there is a growing interest in building smaller homes due to an effort to reduce energy costs. Did you know that brick is a natural insulator? It’s slow to lose or absorb heat — which means your heater and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard to keep the inside of your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. In fact, according to the National Home Energy Rating System (HERS) — an industry measure used to qualify homes for ENERGY STAR® ratings — brick homes are among the most energy efficient. Typical savings on your energy bill with brick are 2-8%, and you can take that to the bank. (source: BIA)
- Ah, the great outdoors. New home buyers love it so long as it is low maintenance and private. Brick is a versatile, gorgeous and very low maintenance product. Contact a Mason to discuss your options for a brick privacy wall and brick patio. You'll be comfortable knowing your investment in brick can provide the privacy and low maintenance solution you are looking for.
- Much like the point above, new home buyers are looking for ways to bring the outdoors inside. There is a movement toward open spaces that combine the inside and out. We can't think of a more interesting way to bring the outdoors in than adding brick touches to your interior spaces; using brick as a flooring option to transition from indoors to outdoors; and using brick to frame your gorgeous outdoor kitchen. There are lots of great ideas on Pinterest or Houzz.com.
- You know the saying about making a good first impression, right? New home buyers have caught on that their home's entryway (and exit) is indeed part of the first impression. We love the versatility of brick and the ways it can be used to frame a doorway and add architectural interest. Try mixing brick and metal like the gorgeous NC State Chancellor's Residence in Raleigh, NC. Mix stone, wood beams, metal roofing and a tumbled brick, like our Chesapeake Grey, for a rustic appeal. Pull up a rocking chair on a brick clad front porch. A classic front porch, our Stone Canyon brick, stone wrapped windows, and architectural detail in the gables make this entry memorable indeed.
Contact our on-staff designer, for a design consultation and she will gladly assist you in finding ways to use brick to meet your design and lifestyle goals. Click here for the complete article on the top 14 New-Home Design Trends for 2014